***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with the heating system in church, so due to the severe cold conditions, both of our services on Sunday 15th November will take place in the Institute across the road. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.***
Sunday, 15th November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist in the Institute (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee
6:00pm - Choral Evensong in the Institute (BCP)
Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231 [Lesser Festival]
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
Saturday - Ordinary Time: The Eve of Christ the King; The Eve of the Sunday next before Advent (The Eve of Stir-up Sunday)
7:30pm - The Durham Singers Concert at DCM Elvet (please see note below)
Sunday, 22nd November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of Christ the King; The Sunday next before Advent (Stir-up Sunday)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)
Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century [Commemoration]; The Feast of Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748 [Commemoration]
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
7:00pm - PCC Meeting
Saturday - Ordinary Time: The Eve of Advent Sunday
7:00pm - Durham Shakespeare Group Performance in the Institute (please see note below)
Sunday, 29th November 2026 - Advent: The First Sunday of Advent/Advent Sunday (The First Sunday in Advent); The Eve of St Andrew
***Lectionary Year B begins.***
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
6:00pm - Choral Evensong (BCP)
Wednesday - Advent
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
Friday - Advent: The Feast of St John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, C749; The Feast of Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637 [Commemoration]
7:30pm - Durham University Orchestral Society Chamber Ensemble Michaelmas Concert
Saturday - Advent: The Eve of the Second Sunday of Advent (The Eve of the Second Sunday in Advent)
7:30pm - Durham University Foot Notes A Cappella Michaelmas Concert
Sunday, 6th December 2026 - Advent: The Second Sunday of Advent (The Second Sunday in Advent)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)
Tuesday - Advent: The Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Lesser Festival]
2:00pm - Tea & Talk in the Institute
7:30pm - DUPO Palatinate Ensemble Michaelmas Concert
Wednesday - Advent: Ember Day
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
Sunday, 13th December 2026 - Advent: The Third Sunday of Advent (The Third Sunday in Advent)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)
Wednesday - Advent
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
Sunday, 20th December 2026 - Advent: The Fourth Sunday of Advent (The Fourth Sunday in Advent); O Clavis David (O Key of David)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
6:00pm - Christmas Carol Service
Wednesday - Advent; O Emmanuel
10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)
Thursday - Advent: Christmas Eve
4:00pm - Family Nativity Service
8:00pm - The First Eucharist of Christmas (Christmas Night Mass)
Friday - Christmastide: Christmas Day
11:00am - The Eucharist of Christmas Day (Christmas Day Holy Eucharist)
***Please see the Calendar of Services attached.***
The Next Durham Singers Concert: The next concert to be performed by the Durham Singers will take place on Saturday 21st November at 7:30pm, at Elvet Methodist Church. The programme centres around a choral arrangement by Donald Fraser of Elgar's song cycle Sea Pictures, and we present a number of other nautically-themed works, including music by Cecilia McDowall, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Rebecca Clarke. We're joined by soprano soloist Katy Thomson and pianist Ana Manistireanu and will also be bidding a fond farewell to music director Tom Edney at the end of his tenure with the choir. Tickets (£15.00 each, or £10.00 each for students) are available from David Harris or online: https://www.ticketsource.com/durhamsingers
Church Christmas Tree 2026: This year's Christmas tree has been ordered, costing £74.00. If anyone would like to help pay for it, please pass any contributions to Roz.
Thank you.
Durham Churches Together Monthly Vigil for People and Planet: Durham Churches Together Committee invites everyone to join us in a Vigil for People and Planet. This will be held at 11:00am on the third Monday morning of each month in the Parish Room at St Cuthbert's Catholic Church, Old Elvet, by kind permission of Father Downie. We are responding in hope to wide-spread concerns about the increasing consequences of climate change across the world, including in the UK, and to fears of escalating war. The first vigil, on 16th November, will seek God's blessing on Climate Change COP 31.
Go through the gate to the front of the church, then follow the path round the side of the church to the door to the Parish Room. The 30-minute silent vigil will commence with a short prayer and end with saying the Grace together. We hope that you will stay for conversation and a cup of tea/coffee. Please bring an early packed lunch if it fits your arrangements. For more information, please contact Charles Jolly, Durham Churches Together Chair: [email protected].
Food Bank: Weekly Message from Lynda Delf - On Sunday 8th November, £20.00 was donated by a parishioner, and £20.00 was posted anonymously through our letterbox. Thank you so much.
Our current shortages include long-life milk, fruit juice, sugar, rice, jam, tinned fruit, rice pudding, custard, meat, potatoes, tomatoes, fish and spaghetti hoops. We always need household cleaning materials and toilet rolls. We are also collecting festive food such as Christmas puddings, cakes, biscuits and sweets.
Many thanks, your support is greatly appreciated.
Durham Shakespeare Group Performance: On Saturday 28th November at 7:00pm in the Institute, Durham Shakespeare Group will give a performance of Romeo and Juliet with a twist.
This will be followed by cheese and wine. Tickets cost £7.50 each, and you can purchase these from either Sondra or Jenifer, or pay at the door.
Thank you.
Parish Magazine: The Autumn issue is now available and is being delivered to regular subscribers.
As usual, extra copies are available (£2.00 each) from the back of church.
St Oswald's Parish Office
Tel: 0191 383 0830
Email: [email protected]